OLYMPIC champion swimmer Michael Phelps was sentenced to 18 months' probation after pleading guilty Wednesday to drunken driving.

Judge Lloyd O. Whitehead granted the 19-year-old probation before judgment, which will allow Phelps' record to be expunged if he follows the terms of his probation.

Phelps, who pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, was fined US$250, ordered to pay US$55 in court costs, and told to attend Mothers Against Drunk Driving meetings. In addition, he has to speak to students at several schools about the dangers of consuming alcohol.

Prosecutors dropped several charges against Phelps, including driving under the influence, underage drinking and failure to stop at a stop sign.

"I recognize the seriousness of this mistake," Phelps told the judge in court. "I've learned from this mistake and will continue learning from this mistake for the rest of my life."

Phelps, who won a record-tying eight medals in Athens this summer, including six golds, was pulled over by a state trooper Nov. 4 for failing to observe a stop sign. He was then charged with driving under the influence, failing to obey a stop sign and violating a license restriction.

Editor: Wing